Refrigerator



June 14, 1960 J. R. DICKINSON ETAL REFRIGERATOR 1 w R. E mN N e H R h 5 0 mwu T S NKB T A 9 D a 2m 2 R C A a vlw B Filed NOV. 3, 1958 June 14, 1960 J. R. DICKINSON EI'AL 2,940,632

REFRIGERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 3, 1958 FIG.

INVENTOR. JACK R. DICKINSON HAROLD E- BUSH BY M, MM 9 22m ATTORNEYS REFRIGERATOR Jack R. Dickinson, North Claverack, and Harold E. Bush, Philmont, N.Y., assignors to Foster Refrigerator Corp, Hudson, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. '3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,475

2 Claims. (01. 220-) The present invention relates to refrigerators and more particularly to a closure structure between the outer shell and inner liner of a refrigerator cabinet.

Conventional refrigerator cabinets comprise an outer shell, an inner liner spaced inwardly from the shell and a body of insulation therebetween. The outer shell and inner liner are usually constructed of highly heat conductive sheet metal, such as steel, aluminum or the like, to provide the necessary strength and a breaker strip of a low heat conducting material is mounted between the shell and liner at the front of the refrigerator. The breaker strip provides a thermal barrier between the metal Walls of the shell and liner at the outside and in side of the refrigerator and the breaker stripisusually;

constructed to provide an attractive trim strip and many times constitutes the door jam engaged by the gasket on the door.

Such breaker strips are usually attached by screws requiring considerable time and expense to apply and remove. Also considerable care must be used in the manufacture of the parts so that they properly fit each other to align the holes through which the fasters are applied. Even though the parts are carefully manufactured, the breaker strip does not always tightly engage the shell and liner when the parts are assembled, due to warping of the parts or uneven strain applied to the breaker strip by the fasteners. However, even if properly applied, the breaker strip does not prevent moisture in the air at the outside of the refrigerator from flowing into the space between the shell and liner and condensing on the outside of the liner. Such condensate permeates the insulating material in' the space and increases its thermal conductivity so that heat flows from the ambient to the interior of the refrigerator at a faster rate and increases the load on the refrigerating unit or, when the capacity of the unit is reached, increases the temperature in the refrigerator above desirable limits.

On of the objects of the present invention is to prevent the fiow of moisture from the ambient to the insulating space between the outer shell and liner.

Another object is to provide a closure structure between the shell and liner of the refrigerator which acts as a moisture barrier between the ambient and insulation space as well as a thermal barrier between the shell and liner.v

Another object is to provide a snap-on-breaker strip which may be easily and quickly applied and yieldingly engages the outer shell and liner uniformly at all points throughout its length.

Another object is to provide a breaker strip construction whicheliminates the necessity of fasteners and the necessity of aligning holes in the parts during assembly.

Still another object is to provide a combined break-- er strip and moisture seal construction which is of simple and compact construction, adaptedfor economical manufacture and one which is reliable in operation.

I These and other objects will, bec omemo rez apparent from the following description and drawings in which like ted States Patefi reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of a refrigerator incorporating the novel features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken on line 22 of Figure l to show the relationship of the combined breaker strip and seal to the outer shell, inner liner and door;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the outer shell and liner illustrated in Figure 2 and showing the construction of the parts and the location of the seal strip therebetween;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional plan view taken on line 4-4of Figure l and showing the initial position of a snap-on breaker strip section as it is about to be mounted;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the breaker strip section mounted in position on the refrigerator cabinet with each edge locked to the outer shell and inner liner, respectively;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a sn'ap-on corner section of the breaker strip applied between'vertical and horizontal sections to cover the corner; and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 6 to show the right angular front and side walls, the reduced feathered edge portion overlying the end portion of the vertical section and the locking lugs and spring clips on each right angular wall.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown applied to a refrigerator 10 having a refrigerated food storage compartment 11 closed by a door 12 and a machine compartment 13 below the refrigerated compartment having an access door 14. It will be understood, however, that the invention can be applied to other types of refrigerators, such as those having multiple doors or those having a refrigerating unit located at the rear of the. refrigerated compartment.

The refrigerator 10 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an outer shell 15, an inner liner 16 spaced inwardly from the outer shell and insulating material 17 therebetween. The outer shell -15 and inner liner 16 may be of one piece construction or may be fabricated from a plurality of parts as illustrated. As shown in Figure 1, the outer shell comprises opposite side sections 18 and 19, a top section 20 and a stile section 21 between the refrigerated compartment 12 and machine compartment 13 therebelow. Similarly, the inner liner '16 comprises opposite side panels 22 and 23, a rear panel 24, a top panel (not shown) and a bottom panel 25, each joined to each other at their edges to form a box-like structure having an open front. Such a construction permits the use of side sections 18 and 19 with top and stile sections 20 and 21 .of different lengths to provide refrigerators of difierent sizes.

Thedoor 12:is hinged at the front of the side section 19 and has a latch 26 for engagement with a suitable latch keeper mounted on the side section 18. Door 12 is of thermal barrier and vapor seal 30 is provided between the outer shell 15 and inner liner 16 at the front of the refrigwall 33jand' rearwardly 30 comprises an inside vapor seal strip 31 and outside eratorJ The combined thermal barrier and vapor seal breaker strip 32 extending between the edges of the outer shell and inner liner 16 around the entire periphery of the door opening. The ini'lention also resideszin. part in a the construction of the shell 15 andliner 16 for mounting":

thevapor seal strip 31 and breaker stripg32; 7

.As shown: intFigure 3'tl1'eside section 18 of the refrig erator cabinet lil comprisesa sheet metalcp'latesuclr. as; for'example, aluminum forming a side panelzi; The for ward edge, portion of the plate is foldedinwardlyattright 7 angles thereto to provide'a front wall 335Wit-li a rounded vapor seal therebetween.

retaining its flexibility; As shown in'Fig ure 3, one edge of the vapor sealing strip 31 isclamped between the flanges- 35 and 47 of the shell 15 and attaching str-ip 46 to form a Either or both sides of the strip 31 may have a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto, such as gum rubber or the like, to further improve the seal of the jointbetweeu the attaching strip 46 and flange 35 of the outer shell 15. The opposite edge of the sealing strip s i-tis. folded overthe rearward side of edge 34therebet-ween and then rearw'ardlyifroinithe front 7 and rearward flanges forming atcontinuation ofi'the front: extending flange 35 of the-side section 18 V V a The forward edge of the-side panel 22 of liner 16 tterrninates rearwardly from the front wallt33 of shell 16and inwardly therefrom; An atta'chingstrip 38 is mounted on the forward edge of the side panel 22 of liner 16 and extendsthroughout it's'height As shown most cleaa'ly in Figu1'e3,'tl1e; attaching strip 38' is. a sheet metal piece having its'forward: edge portion 39tfoldedback on itself. and overlying the opposite sides of the forward wedge of the-liner panel 2z-tand th'e terminal edgeof the attaching f strip forms; a vertical lockingtshoulder 40'extending throughout theheight of the liner panel 22. The fol edge portion '39 of theattaching strip 38 is permanently attachedand sealed to the forward edge of the panel 22 as by welding it thereto. The rearwardiedge'portion-tofthe attaching strip 38 is folded laterally to provide a flange 41 projecting at right angles to panel 22. Cleats 42 are connectedtoattaching strip 38 atspaced intervals therealong. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the cleats 42' are sheet metal stampings having a flat body portion and peripheral flange folded upwardlytherefrom to provide a right angular end Wall 43. End wall 43 of each cleat 42 is attached to: flange 41- oftattaching. strip 38 .byl suitable fasteners 44,tsuch as staples or the like, Thev forward edge of; the other four panels of. the liner 16 at the top,v bottom and opposite side having attachingiistrips 38 andt cleats 42- ofsimilar construction around the entire-periphery' of the liner.

7 t The ends of the flat body 'portiontoftcleats' 42 opposite: the end walls 43 overlie the rear'wardly extending-flange 35 of shell 15 and are attached thereto by suitable fasten-- V 'ers 45, such as screws, to mount the liner 16 inthe shell. 'An attachingstrip 46 of a construction sirnilar to the gat-taching strip 38is mounted on the side section 18 of shell 15 b'etween the cleats 42 and flange 35; Attaching strip 46 hasta flange 47' overlying the flange 35; an inwardly directed wall 48 forming a continuation of the portion forming anroutwardly projecting shoulder 49 at 7 its terminal edge which extends. throughout the height-of forwardly from the flange 41 of the attaching strip 38.-

the flange-41ofattachingtstrip 33 onl-iner 16 and againstthe outer.v face oi thellinenpanel 22"and is attached thereto by a suitable pressure sensiti-ye adhesive to provide a vapor seal with the outside of the liner. Similar sealing strip sections-3f are positioned-between the outer shell 15 V front wall 33 0f the shell 15 and a reversel'yfolded end and its folded over edge terminates a short distance one wardlyr-from the planei-of the foldedover edge 39 of at tachingstrip 38. Similar attaching 46 are provided ontthe correspondingflanges35.at the top section 28; the opposite side section 19tandstilestrip section 21 of; the

outer shell 15. Thus, the-shell 15 has atmar gina'l loch-ing shoulder 49vextending around outer periphery of theopen.,v endot the liner 16 and the linerrhas a peripherailockingshoulder 49'at the-rear of its terminaL edge '39.

' The vapor sealing strip 31 comprises a suitable fabric; such as cotton, impregnated with'a'thinje'oatingof a resin,

such as vinyl plastic; torenderit;moismre-proofrwlii er V the refrigerator cabinet. 7 t

and inner liner 16- at the top; bottom and opposite side to form a complete seal between the shell and liner around the entire periphery of the door opening at the front of have sealingsleeves251' and 52 ofrubber or the like.

Thus-the space between theshell 15 and'liner 16' is completely sealedto preyenflmois'turef-from flowingthereto from the ambient; r

The breaker strip-"32, shownin detail in Figures 2, 4 and 5, also is of novel construction and comprises sec, tions adapted to be easily and quickly snapped in place to-tight'ly' and uniformly engage the shell 15 and liner 16. Each section of breaker strip S'Z isofright angular form in cross-section having 'a front wall 55 and side wall 56. The breaker strip-32 iskcomposed of any suitableinsulating material 'of rigid type resilient plastic, such as a high impact resistant: polystyrene, and the straight sections advantageously-may be madea's lengths of a one-piece molded extrusion-. As shown 'in' Figures 2' and 5, the front'and side walls-55 and 56 of the breaker strip 32 overlie the'front and side ofthe attaching' strips 46 and 38; respectively, and have, longitudinally extending ribsor shoulders 57 and 58 extending throughout-their length andin-lockingeng'agementwith theshould'ers- 49 and 40 on the attaching strips 46 and} 38' ofthe shell 15; and liner 16;res'pect'ively. t V t The front wall 55 overlies "the; front wall 4& of the att'aching'strip 46 and the adjacentportion of the front wall 33 of the shell 15' and the portion projecting outwardly from the shoulder 57Jisicurvedinwardly and tapered to; forr'na feathered edge 59 bearingagainstthe fir'ont portion 33"0fthe refrigerator cabinet throughout itslength. The-side wall 56' bridgesithe spacebetween the front'wall 33 of the shell am d forwardedge of the liner I6, Side-wall 56 has a rounded rearward edge 60 terminating ina flat face 61 extending rearwardly from shoulder 58fwhich bearsagainst the wall, 22 or the A flange 62 formed as an integr'al part of the breaker strip section projects laterally from the rearward face of thefrnt wall 55and constitutes a spring'clip engaging the-rearward side of the attaching strip 46 throughout its length to yieldingly retain the lockinggsho'ulder 57 in engagement with: the locking shoulder .49; Spring'clip, 62- also act's to: yieldingly engage the; feather edge '59 with the; front wait 33iuniformly throughout its length. Side 'wa'l'l 56' also has-a flange 63 similar to. flange 62 which engages the side of the panel 22' to yieldingly hold its" locking "shoulder 58in locking engagement witha shoulder and yieldingly hold the face 61 againstthc liner-panel" '22." Similar s'firaightt'sectionsofithe breaker strip 32 are provided between the attaching strips 38 and 46 at the top, bottom and opposite side of the refrigerator cabinet.

Corner pieces 70, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 are provided for each corner of the breaker strip 32 between the adjacent vertical and horizontal straight sections. All of the corner pieces 70 are of identical construction and are adapted to be snapped into place in the same way as the straight sections. Each corner piece 70 has front plate portion 71 of right angular sections overlying the adjacent vertical and horizontal attaching strips 46 and a side wall plate portion 72 formed as an integral part thereof extending at right angles to the front plate portion 71 and having right angular sections overlying the adjacent vertical and horizontal sides of the attaching strips 38. The front and right angular side plates 71 and 72 have shoulders 73 and 74 at opposite ends adapted to align with the ends of the straight sections of the breaker strip 32 and thin sections 75 and 76 projecting laterally beyond the shoulders and overlying the ends of the straight sections. The thin sections 75 and 76 are of the same contour in cross-section as the end portions of the straight sections of the breaker strip 32 and are gradually tapered to provide a feather edge engaging the straight sections. The right angular sections 71 of the front plate have pins 77, one for each section, in locking engagement with shoulders 49 on the attaching strips 46 and a flange 78 engaging the opposite side of the attaching strip to yieldingly hold the pins in locking engagement. A single pin rather than a locking shoulder is required on the corner pieces to adapt them to be snapped into position. The sections of the side plate 72 each have a locking shoulder 79 for locking engagement with the shoulder 40 on the attaching strip 38 and a spring clip 80 projecting from the rear of the wall for yieldingly holding the shoulders in latching engagement. Thus, the straight sections and corner pieces of the breaker strip 32 close the opening between the outer shell 15 and inner liner 16 around the entire periphery of the door opening.

As shown in Figure 2, breaker strip 32 provides a thermal barrier of insulating material between the shell 15 and liner 16 around the entire periphery and also provides a decorative trim between the shell and liner. The front wall 55 also constitutes a door jamb for engagement by the gasket 27 on the door 12 to provide a seal between the ambient anl the refrigerated compartment 11 to prevent air leakage therebetween. One form of the invention having now been described, the mode of operation and assembly of parts to form the combined moisture and thermal barrier 30 is explained below.

During the fabrication of the liner 19 and before it is assembled in the shell 15, the attaching strips 38 are mounted on the forward edges of the liner 16 by sliding the folder over edge portions 39 rearwardly onto the forward edge portions of the top, bottom and opposite sides of the liner and welding them thereto. Each of the attaching strips 38 extends through substantially the entire height or width of the panel of the liner 16 on which it is mounted. After the attaching strips 38 have been applied and welded to the forward edges of the liner 16, the end 43 of each of the spaced cleats 42 is attached to the flange 41 of the attaching strip as by stapling it thereto, see Figure 3. The rearward edge portions of the seal strips 31 having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon are then pressed against the rearward face of each flange 41 and the adjacent outer side of the respective liner panel to adhere it thereto and 'form a moisture seal with the liner. Furthermore, the ends of the vertical and adjacent horizontal seal strip sections 31 are overlapped at the corners to complete the seal around the entire periphery of the open end of the liner. The liner is then in condition to be assembled with the other parts of the cabinet.

After a top section 20 and stile section 21 of proper width have been assembled between the side sections 18 and '19 to form the outer shell of a refrigerator cabinet,

the liner assembly 16 is mounted in the shell 15. This is accomplished by positioning the liner 16 in the shell 15 in the relative position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The forward edge portion of the seal strips 32 are then brought forward to overlie the flanges 35 at the opposite side sections 18 and 19 and the top and stile sections 20 and 21. Advantageously, the forward portions of the seal strips 31 also have a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto. The attaching strips 46 are then positioned to overlie the forward portions of the seal strips 31 between the flange 35 and cleats 42., Holes are then drilled through each cleat 42, the attaching strip 46 and flange 35 after which the self-tightening fastening screw 45 is applied through the drill hole to fasten the cleat to the shell. Thus, when all of the cleats have been attached to the attaching strip 46 of the shell 15, the liner '16 has been mounted in the shell 15 and the pressure of the spaced screws 45 on the flange 47 of the attaching strip 46 uniformly compresses the end of the sealing strip 31 uniformly along the flange 35 to seal the joint therebetween. As the sealing strip 31 is moisture-proof it seals the space between the shell 15 and liner 16 around the entire periphery of the cabinet.

The insulation 17 may have been placed at the inside of the shell 15 prior to the assembly of the liner 16 therein or may be inserted through the back after the liner 16 has been assembled in the shell 15 and then closed by the back panel 50. Thus, the sealing strips 31 around the entire periphery of the door opening at the front of the refrigerator cabinet and the sealing engagement of the other parts, such as the back panel 50 with the shell 15 and the sleeves 51 and 52 between the liner and outer shell prevents any moisture from entering the space between the liner and shell and thereby eliminates the possibility of any water collecting in the space and aflecting the properties of the insulation 17:

The straight sections of the breaker strip 32 are then snapped in place between the attaching strips 38 and 46. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each breaker strip section is pressed rearwardly from the position shown in Figure 4 to engage the rearward edge of wall 56 and spring clip flange 63 with the opposite sides of the folded over edge portion 39 of the attaching strip 38. Upon further rearward movement, the spring clip portion yields until the shoulder 58 on wall 56 snap over the shoulder 40 on the attaching strip 38. The spring clip flange 63 then resses the flat face 61 into engagement with the side of the liner panel 22 at the rear of the shoulder 40 uniformly throughout its length. Such rearward movement of the side wall 56 of the breaker strip section aligns the front wall 55 with the front wall 33 of the refrigerator cabinet and inwardly projecting wall 48 of the attaching strip 46. The front section of the breaker strip 32 is then pressed outwardly to engage the front wall 55 and flange 62 with the opposite sides of the front wall 48 of the attaching strip 46 on the outer shell 15. Further lateral pressure of the breaker strip section 32 then causes the shoulder 57 to snap over the shoulder 49 on the outer shell 15 to lock the breaker strip section thereon. The yielding flange 62 then acts as a spring clip to yieldingly hold the shoulder 57 in locking engagement with the shoulder 49 and yieldingly engage the feathered edge 59 of the breaker strip section against the front wall portion 33 of the refrigerator cabinet. The other sections of breaker strip 32 of the proper length are applied in a similar manner to the top section 28, stile section 21 and opposite side section 19.

Corner pieces 70 of the breaker strip 32 are then applied between the ends of adjacent vertical and horizontal sections by first pressing the rearward edge and spring clips on the right angular sections of the side wall 72 at the opposite sides of the vertical and horizontal end portions of the attaching strips 38 between the ends of the straight sections of breaker strip 32 until the spaced shoulders 79 snap over the shoulders 40; and

then pressing, the, right angular sections sof -the front wall 11" laterally:to engage the spring finger clips. 78, and pins ZZiYi Eh QE IPOSEQ sides otfront wall'.48. of the attaching; V strip an pressing itoutwardly until the pins Z1 snap otter the;,,shonlders 4,9; The spaced spring: finger c1ips l8 their hold" the pins 77 in locking engagement withv the shoulders and the; reduced feathered edges in' engageinentjalith the. adjacent end portions of the vertical and horizontal sections of. the breaker strip 32;, Thus ther breaker strip '32 extends around the. entire periphery of the door opening and: provides a thermal. barrier between the shell 15 andliner 1 6. 'Furthermore, the face or the a straight sections anglnthe front. wall 71. of the cornerv pieces 70Io the breaker stn'p 32 provide a continuous door: lamb engaged by the peripheral gasket 27 on, the door 12.. I p

i It will now be observedthat" the present invention, provides a construction which prevents the flow of moisj 51 A. refrigerator having a. shell: forming anv outer walk and foldedeinwardlytoformra front wal'lgwith aflange folded rearwardly from the front wall, a liner mounted; in said shell; in; spaced relation; there'tQLamattjaching strip on the shell -lhaving a flange? overly-ingljithe- Vrearwardlv foldedflange onlthe: shell-La front wall-aligned with the front 'walloft the shell and afolded; over.- edge iportion,v

erm aan w rd r n eie tingrsh ulderr an attaching:

more from the-ambient to the insulating space between. V

the. outer; shell and liner. It also will be observed that the present invention provides a closure structure between-the shelland liner of a refrigerator cabinet which acts' as a moisture barrier between the ambient and insulating space as Well as a thermal barrier between the shell and liner; I t further will be observed; thattthe present invention provides a novel form of breaker strip which maybe easilyand 'quickly applied and which,

a when, applied, yieldingly engages the outer shell andliner a uniformlyat. all points throughout its length;

"still fiurther be observed thatflthe present invention'flpro- It will vides awcombine'd-rnoisture and thermal barrier whiclris of simple and-compact'construction adapted for economical manufacture and one whichpis reliable in operation. I

Whilea single embodiment of the invention is herein illustrated-and described, it will' be understood that,

,ohanges may be made in the construction and arrange-- ment of parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention Therefore, without limitation in this respect the invention is defined'by the following claims.

:Weclaim: V

striponirthe liner having an; edge Portion 'folded over the; forward, edgeof the.- liner nto form, anoutyvardly projecting shoulder on the liner-and a laterallyfoldedflange, a combinedgthermal; andmoisture barrier between the: shell and liner comprisingja breaker strip; ofheat in: snlating material extending between the;- shell-Vand liner to provide the thermal barrier therebetween andqaasealing strip of amoisture impervious material between the liner and shell. at theprearof the breaker strip, one edge attaching strips to yieldingly; hold the'shoulders one the breaker strip in locked engagement with theshoulders; on the attaching strips. v Y

2;. A refrigerator in accordancewithela-im: 1 in. which spaced cleats are, attached to the flanges of the attaching; strips on; the; Shell-583d: liner to mount. the liner insthe shell;

References (Zited in the file of; this patents UNITED- STATES PATENTS V 2,662,660 Frykdahl V V nee. 15, 3

2,793,7 8 l Morton; eVMay;28, 1957 2,873,041 1 Allen; Feb. 10,1259 

